a/n: I LIED. I said you'd get answers in this chapter. YOU DON'T. Aren't I the worst?

On the upside (or downside depending on the kind of person you are) the next chapter is probably going to be completely full of flashbacks! We shall relive the experience right there with Arnold. Huzzah!

Oh god, you don't know how badly I want to go through each and everyone of these chapters and point all the ridiculous canon throwbacks and symbolism, because I keep doing adding them! I DON'T EVEN TRY TO.

Also, I told you they'd changed. This story is mostly about them finding themselves again. Also, ADVENTURE! Seriously, there's so many awesome things that I've got planned for this story. I keep sort of going 'round in circles about some of the plottier details though. I'll figure it out soon though.

Oh and here's a little reference thing mostly for myself, but you guys might enjoy it too. What's in Helga and Arnold's pockets?!

a/n: Hee, hopefully there's some nice surprises in this chapter. Yes, we are going to get to see quite a few of the old gang. None of them are terribly plot important, but they'll be helping out a lot.

And La Corazon! <33333 Yes I am totally writing a TJM-ish story at a totally non-TJM time. Or well, TJM happened in this story, but Arnold didn't find ANYTHING. No evidence that his parents are alive or dead or had ever existed at all. And this is sort of the end result of that. It's an Arnold who lost his hope and a Helga who got her life stuck in Arnold's leaving. They're both very stunted emotionally. Arnold gave up on a lot of things and Helga hasn't really formed her own identity. But they'll get there!

And the next chapter includes some answers! They're on a road trip after all - time for Arnold to explain some things.

The urban legend was totally spur of the moment and basically added because of this.

a/n: I was actually planning on pushing this chapter a little bit further, but things seemed to be winding down so I decided to cut it off. Damn, it takes them FOREVER to get from point A to point B. Also, I was originally going to have them just ending up on a street and either Helga or Arnold would hotwire a car, but it didn't pan out that way. Sorry Mrs. Grant.

Also, I love action. And characters getting snippy at one another.

Next Chapter: Helga and Arnold make a pit stop or two and then plan out their next destination.

a/n: Depressing, eh? Oh well, it happens. There's some bare-bones as far as backstory goes now, which is pretty sweet I suppose.

Oh and the next chapter is where things will finally start HAPPENING. Are you excited for that? I AM.

Also, I'm pretty sure chapters are going to end up getting longer as I go along. So uh, you've been warned I suppose.

And, thank you guys so much for the feedback so far! I wasn't really expecting more than like one or two people to even notice this.

Oh, I'll also probably have bits of extra stuff to show you involving the story, because I'm a super visual person so I like to sketch out parts of scenes and things like character design will come along too, because I have fun with that. :3

a/n: I'm not making any promises about this. I don't want to say I'm going to finish this or that I even know where it's going at all. I just... I really want to try and see if I can write something - ANYTHING that has some sort of continuity. I've only ever finished two multi-chaptered... things. One was Downfall, which is totally original and also sort of... insane. The other was a five part story that I wrote mostly because our internet was down for a week. I don't have a great track record with multi-chaptered stuff.

Also, I only have a very vague idea for a plot, so bear with me please!

Yeah, I'm gonna use Arnold Shortman for Arnold's full name. It was never my favorite choice, but I'm pretty sure it's either confirmed as his last name or so damn close that it doesn't really matter.